Now Commenting On:

Parmelee doing OK after drilled in helmet

Parmelee doing OK after drilled in helmet

4/25/12: Chris Parmelee is hit by a Justin Thomas pitch in the bottom of the sixth and is forced to exit the game

By Rhett Bollinger
/
MLB.com |

MINNEAPOLIS -- First baseman Chris Parmelee left the Twins' 7-6 loss to the Red Sox in the sixth inning after getting drilled in the helmet by a Justin Thomas fastball on Wednesday night.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said that Parmelee, who was examined by team doctors, didn't experience any concussion-like symptoms.

"Chris is doing OK," Gardenhire said. "Doctors checked him out, and obviously they're going to check him again tomorrow, but all the tests they ran on him, there was no signs of concussion, but it's still early. He just got his bell rung pretty good."

Parmelee was hit by a 93-mph fastball from Thomas and stayed on the ground for a few minutes before walking off the field with the help of team trainers. Danny Valencia replaced Parmelee as a pinch-runner and remained in the game at third base, with Sean Burroughs moving over to first base.

"It made a loud sound and hit him solid, but fortunately the ball went up, which means it ricocheted and kind of glanced," Gardenhire said. "It was hit solid, but we're just lucky the kid is OK. He just has a headache right now. Everything's fine. They've checked him out and done everything back there."

Justin Morneau, who has been through his fair share of concussion-related symptoms over the past two seasons, had a good view of what happened, as he was on second base.

"It's a scary feeling," Morneau said. "I talked to him. He seems like he's doing all right. I think he's got a little bit of a headache, but other than that, he seemed to be in good spirits. Hopefully a day off will do him some good. Obviously it's impossible to tell with these things, but he seemed optimistic, so I'll be optimistic, too."

Thomas said he felt bad for hitting Parmelee with the pitch, as it certainly wasn't intentional, considering it loaded the bases with just one out.

"You never want to see that happen to anybody," said Thomas, who said he was trying to pitch inside but the ball went off course. "I sent a message over that hopefully he's doing all right and doesn't miss any time."